Revelation 7:13

Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — One of the heavenly elders addresses John during the vision of the sealed multitude. He interrupts the preceding worship scene to inquire about the identity and origin of the figures in white robes.

The words — εἷς (heis) = one and πρεσβυτέρων (presbuterōn) = elders identify the speaker as a single member of the heavenly council. λέγων μοι (legōn moi) = saying to me records the direct, personal nature of the visionary exchange.

The thread — The inquiry about the white-robed multitude connects directly to Revelation 7:9, which first introduces the innumerable crowd from every nation. The elder’s explanatory role echoes his function in Revelation 5:5, where he also addresses the visionary.

Why it lands — The verse demands the reader acknowledge that heavenly revelation requires interpretation by a designated authority. It establishes a pattern where visionary experience is clarified through direct dialogue rather than left unexplained.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

Cross-references

Revelation 7:9 After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
Revelation 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
Revelation 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.
Judges 13:6 So the woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me. His appearance was like the angel of God, exceedingly awesome. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.
John 7:28 Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “You know Me, and you know where I am from. I have not come of My own accord, but He who sent Me is true. You do not know Him,
Revelation 4:4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.
Genesis 16:8 “Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied.